Beautiful (Book Three of the Beautifully Broken Series)

by Angela Stephens

  “Let’s get our cameras locked and loaded,” she said.

  Chapter Eleven

  Traveling west on Highway 30, Kathryn gazed out the partially open window and the meandering Columbia River. The morning was dazzlingly beautiful, the sun slanting through the windshield warm against her face. Scrolling through the itinerary James had emailed her, she perused the various stops on their agenda.

  They had left at daybreak, the light traffic allowing an easy escape from the congestion that would delay them later. Now, her head swiveling from gorgeous views of the river and the lush scenery beyond, Kathryn already felt the stress of the past few days evaporate.

  “I feel like we’re spoiled for choice,” she said, bouncing from one destination to the other. “Astoria sounds amazing, but really, if we continue south on the one-oh-one we’ll pretty much hit every spot on the list.”

  James, looking more relaxed, turned to look at her. A fragrant breeze rushing through his partially open window rustled his hair, giving him a boyish look.

  “We’ll have plenty of time to deal with the checklist later,” he said. “Our first stop is Siuslaw National Forest.”

  Kathryn checked the list. “That’s down by Coos Bay. Bit of a drive.”

  “We’re heading for Oregon Dunes Park,” James said. “Largest coastal sand dune area in North America. Gorgeous place, the dunes are five hundred feet above sea level, and they look like breath of angry gods blew them into these amazing shapes.”

  Kathryn smiled at the passion in his voice. “You speak like a poet,” she said. “I just got the most vivid image in my mind of a place I’ve never seen.”

  “Wait till you see it,” James said. “We can spend a few days exploring the dunes and just kicking back. We’ve got no schedule to keep and we can email our photos whenever we want.”

  Kathryn cocked an eyebrow at him. “I don’t recall any mention of a mini-vacation at the office yesterday, Mr. Manticorp. Isn’t this supposed to be a work assignment?”

  “They didn’t need to know our business,” James said. “The fewer that know our actual location, the better. I’ll check in with Dad when we need to. Besides, we both need some time out. Right now, breathing fresh air is vacation enough for me.” He paused. “Kat, let’s agree not to talk about what’s happened. I don’t want to dwell on it any longer. All this bullshit has been like breathing in carbon monoxide fumes. Sam and the police are on it. That’s enough.”

  “Agreed,” Kathryn said, quietly watching him drive.

  As she gazed at him, she noticed a spark in his eyes that only revealed itself outside the office. Beyond, the natural beauty of the land serenaded them with the peace and quiet that could only be found away from the chaos of the city. She drank it in, feeling the serenity heal the stress that had imprisoned her the last few days. Though she still felt bruised from Heather’s assault, the discomfort would soon pass. With no radio or even the distraction of the GPS, Kathryn found her eyes growing heavy. Leaning against the headrest, she closed them and drifted off.

  “Kathryn, wake up. Kathryn ...”

  Drifting from the image of a rapidly fading dream, Kathryn felt herself being shaken. Opening her eyes, she first noticed James’ amused face, then the view stretching out seemingly into infinity.

  Sandwiched between the dramatic coastline and the lush forest, a breathtaking vista of dunes undulated for miles like the landscape of an alien world. Pockets of dense trees rose among sweeping sandscape which culminated into marshy plains and beaches. Various OHVs bobbed along specific riding zones, their red flags fluttering.

  “My God, it’s beautiful,” Kathryn said. “Are we here already? What happened to Astoria?”

  James laughed. “You’ve been asleep for over three hours. Yes, we’re here. You’re one hell of a traveling partner. Had to talk to myself to keep me company!”

  Kathryn leaned over to kiss him. “Sorry, but think of the energy I’ll have for later,” she said with a wink. She paused to gaze at the stunning view. “Where do we go from here?”

  “Reserved a cabin for two nights. We’ll settle in then go for a ride on the dunes.”

  ***

  While the day had started off clear and sunny, clouds scuttled in from the ocean, casting a quicksilver gleam to the ocean and chilling the briny air. Kathryn held onto the Jeep’s roll bar, the grip of the beefy tires assured as James expertly navigated the dunes. Kathryn squealed with delight as they crested slightly airborne, the sand flying in time with James’ fancy maneuvering.

  “You’re quite an expert, aren’t you!” she cried.

  “Having fun?” James asked, his face aglow.

  “Oh, yes, but my stomach may have other ideas. It’s just like riding a roller coaster!”

  “I’m surprised you never went offroading in Arizona,” James said. “Plenty of opportunities there.”

  Kathryn laughed. “Never met anyone inclined to try it.”

  “Cityslickers,” he said, gunning the Jeep toward the next dune that reminded Kathryn of cresting breakers.

  When the Jeep was stable enough to take pictures, Kathryn took as many as she could of the incredibly dramatic views. The almost primitive contrast of sand and water never ceased to fascinate her, and she knew some of the images would make their final selections.

  Approaching the shore, James slowed and pulled to a stop, where they quietly watched the booming surf and a cluster of seagulls hanging out by the waterline. By now the clouds had completely obscured the sun, ushering the impending twilight.

  “Do you hear that?” James said.

  Kathryn listened, hearing nothing but the sound of the sea, the wind and chatter the birds.

  “Yes.”

  “Good.”

  James glanced at the console clock. “We should head back to the campsite. Tomorrow we’ll get up early and really explore.” He cast Kathryn a crooked grin. “Promise you won’t fall asleep for three hours again?”

  Kathryn playfully swatted him. “I promise!”

  Huddled together in the cozy bedroom of the cabin they had rented for their stay, James and Kathryn awoke to the bustle of campers getting ready for a day on the dunes. Kathryn listened for a moment, then turned to run her fingers through James’ tousled hair. He smiled and began enthusiastically kissing her, then pressed himself against her.

  “My, my, Mr. Manticorp,” she said. “Is that a gun or are you just happy to see me?”

  “Depends,” he murmured, nuzzling her neck. “Either way, I still have to fire my load.”

  He stopped her mouth with his tongue before their bodies rolled together in a sweaty embrace. The pressure of James’ rigid cock wedged between Kathryn’s thighs intensely aroused her, and she felt a fiery heat burn from her pussy. She moaned and wrapped her legs around his back, but James pushed out from her embrace.

  “Ride me,” he said, clasping her hips until his fingers imprinted her flesh.

  Aching to feel James inside of her, Kathryn raised herself over his cock and impaled herself on it. She gasped as its truncheon-like hardness rose deep inside her until its tip touched her womb. The pressure was almost too much as she circled and ground her hips in time to James’ jackhammer thrusting.

  His hands rose to her breasts to squeeze and fondle her pearly flesh and tweak her button-hard nipples. Slowly, his hands wandered down her body, his questing fingers circling and caressing every inch of her silken skin until they snaked to the luscious mounds of her ass. James moaned softly with eyes tightly shut as Kathryn dripping pussy worked on his cock.

  Now James’ fingers trailed down her cleft, parting it to explore warm, damp flesh. Finding her tight hole, he played with it, feeling it open and close against his probing touch. He slipped in one finger, eliciting a jerk and a guttural grunt from Kathryn who writhed above him in ecstasy.

  Slipping in a second, then a third finger into her quivering hole, Kathryn inadvertently cried out as James’ fingers deeply penetrated her ass. He thrust without mercy,
mimicking the motion of his cock until Kathryn had to grit her teeth to keep from crying out. Watching her through half-closed eyes, James reached for her pussy with his free hand, his straying fingers seeking out the rosebud of her clit.

  Already engorged from the friction against his-juice slickened cock, James began teasing and rubbing her clit. Kathryn gasped for air, her throat parched. Words abandoned her, and the only sound emanating from her mouth was a low, animalistic keening. Waves of unbearably mounting pleasure reached a crescendo until she felt she would surely explode from an almost out of body sensation. Her thighs trembled and her body tensed as she felt the first contractions erupt from her core.

  Spasming from an explosive orgasm so intense, she barely noticed James violent jerking as he flooded her pussy with hot jets of cum. His grip on her hips was so tight it was painful, and Kathryn blindly flailed at his hands. Finally, he released them, and Kathryn pulled herself off of his twitching cock and collapsed onto the bed. Gasping for breath, she lay in a panting heap among rumpled, sweat-drenched sheets.

  James reached out for her. “Come here,” he whispered hoarsely, rolling her toward him.

  Too exhausted to resist, Kathryn allowed herself to be guided toward James’ still rigid cock, a combination of her juice and rivulets of cum trickling down to his balls. Rising to her knees, her hair a damp curtain around her face, she trailed her tongue around the purple head of his cock, her tongue flicking and teasing as though she licked an ice cream cone.

  That’s right,” he said through slitted eyes. “Lick it dry.”

  Kathryn trailed her tongue the length and breadth of his cock until only the slickness of her saliva remained. Raising her head, she glanced at James with feverish eyes.

  “Your turn,” she said, straddling James, her flushed, slippery thighs clamped around his face.

  ***

  Bouncing across the dunes in the Jeep like a dolphin cresting the waves, Kathryn laughed with delight as James skillfully navigated the sandy ocean. The vehicle moved effortlessly across the terrain, its chunky tires easily negotiating the hills and valleys of the surreal landscape.

  Beneath partially cloudy skies, a rising breeze fluttered the red flag used to locate off-roaders. Kathryn took pictures whenever a breathtaking vista came into view, already earmarking several for a pictorial she had in mind. Leaving early for the trek had been a great idea, and she looked forward to spending the day exploring the natural wonderland.

  Clearly in his element, James glanced at her with a grin.

  “Enjoying yourself?”

  “Oh, yes,” she said. “How far have we come? I feel like we’ve landed on the moon.”

  “We’re in a slightly more remote area,” he said. “Didn’t want to hang around the newbies.”

  James pointed to a bank of impressive, windswept dunes ahead. “That’s our destination.”

  Kathryn eyed the lofty dune with unease. “Can we actually scale that?”

  James chuckled. “Piece of cake,” he said, gunning the engine and rapidly switching gears.

  Kathryn clung onto the roll bar as he bore down on the largest dune and ascended the slope with ease. Focused on the mountainous wall of sand, she thought she heard an echo of the engine but didn’t dare look away. Suddenly, the Jeep crested the dune, offering a glorious view of the beach, and with a stomach churning lurch, began descending.

  Soaring over the dune like a fearful prehistoric creature, a hulking black Hummer with darkly tinted windows bore down on the Jeep, nudging the rear bumper guard with its prominent brush guard. Kathryn screamed as the Jeep shimmied down the slope of the dune, her hands scrabbling for any purchase in the violently rocking vehicle.

  “What the fuck?!” James shouted, struggling to maintain control.

  Sand fountained from spinning tires, the peace of the morning shattered by the feral bellow of the Hummer’s roaring engine. Turning around, Kathryn glimpsed the monstrous vehicle closing in with menacing intent. Kitted out with customized guards and a seemingly endless array of lights, the Hummer towered so high above them she couldn’t see the windshield.

  “What’s happening!” she cried, noticing that the vehicle displayed no red flag. “Why are they doing this?”

  “Call 911!” James cried, his eyes darting back and forth from the mirrors.

  Kathryn attempted to grab her phone from the cup holder, but a sudden jolt sent it flying from her fingers. It skittered to the floor but the seatbelt prevented her from leaning any further.

  “I can’t reach it!” she cried.

  “Try!” James said, gunning the engine as he attempted to navigate away from the Hummer.

  Feeling nauseous from the constant rocking, Kathryn extended her foot and try to scrape the phone toward her, but with each jolt it bounced from reach.

  “This is crazy!” she cried.

  “Tell me about it,” James said, zigzagging between the dune slopes in the hopes of escaping the lumbering, less agile Hummer.

  Still unable to reach the phone, Kathryn started to unbuckle her harness.

  “No!” James cried. “Leave it on in case we roll!”

  Terror seized Kathryn. What had started off as enjoyable early morning adventure through the dunes had transformed into a deadly nightmare. Wandering through a more remote area, they had seen few other vehicles in the vicinity, and now, dense storm clouds began to trundle in over the ocean, banishing the earlier light veil of cloud cover.

  The Hummer roared, accelerating in time with the Jeep. Clenching the steering wheel and shifting gears with split-second accuracy, James executed a series of sharp turns and half spins in an attempt to lose the vehicle, but despite it’s ungainly size, the Hummer managed to keep pace.

  “Can’t lose the bastard,” James muttered. He veered so abruptly Kathryn almost hit her head against the window. “I’m heading back to the camp. We’ll have a better chance of running into someone!”

  Kathryn glanced into the side mirror at a bush guard that seemed to grin like shark’s teeth. The tinted windows gave her a sickening sense of deja vu. Suddenly she felt lightheaded, as though she had slipped into a surreal dream.

  “My God, it’s them!” she cried. “I know it! How did they find us?”

  “This is fucking bullshit,” he said with a dangerous look that sent a shiver through Kathryn.

  “It ends here, now.”

  Desperately she kicked at the phone until she was able to lean down and snatch it. Panting, her heart hammering a drumbeat in her chest, she stabbed nine-one-one and with a sinking feeling, saw ‘no service’ displayed on the screen.

  “Shit!” she cried. “No signal!”

  “It’s patchy around here,” James cried, ascending a dune and soaring over it. “Keep trying!”

  A moment later the Hummer leapt over the crest, a primordial beast descending on its prey. James veered away a moment before the brush guard made contact with his bumper and aimed for a large dune further south. They would soon reach the more frequented areas and hopefully gain the attention of others.

  “Hang on,” James said, steering for a dune that looked impossibly high.

  Kathryn steeled herself as James sped up. The Hummer accelerated in repeated attempts to ram them, but the Jeep’s agility allowed James time to reach the dune unscathed. Flooring the gas, he shifted gear and churned up the huge dune in what seemed like only a moment before hurtling from the summit in a dizzying airborne leap seemingly toward a cluster of trees at the base of the dune.

  Screaming as though she were descending a vertical roller coaster, Kathryn shut her eyes and gripped for dear life. The Jeep thudded into the sand and at the last minute, James veered away from the trees. Kathryn opened her eyes and turned to see the airborne Hummer thud into the dune’s slope amidst a spray of sand. Suddenly, it swayed, veered out of control and leaned precariously on two wheels before toppling and rolling into the trees with a resounding crash.

  Silence.

  James braked, then cau
tiously circled toward the Hummer resting on its passenger side, its beefy tires still spinning. Parking a short distance away, he emerged and retrieved a crowbar from the Jeep’s rear toolbox before approaching the vehicle. He peered through the window, then carefully smashed out the glass with the crowbar. The grim look on his face as he gazed inside conveyed everything Kathryn needed to know.

  She reached for the phone but there was still no signal. A moment later she noticed a bobbing red flag approaching from the beach. A man on a ATV appeared, braked, then hurried toward them. Kathryn stared at the helmeted driver, then leaned back against the seat. Above, a break appeared in the darkening sky, releasing a patch of sun.

  Epilogue

  One year later...

  Gazing at the Space Needle from the thirtieth floor of the Manticorp Media North office, Kathryn took a moment to savor the sprawling downtown view of a cloud-draped Seattle. With the majestic, snow capped peak of Mt. Rainier forming a dramatic backdrop eerily similar to the view of Mt. Hood from her former Portland office, she felt a strong sense of deja vu.

  She reached for her coffee mug and took a deep sip of the brew Seattle was so famous for, the memories conjured by the view bittersweet. As always, there was work to be done, but the magazine proofs could wait a few more minutes.

  A knock at the door broke her reverie.

  “Come in.”

  Lakisha, dressed in a rich amethyst sheath dress, stepped into the room with a small pile of packages. Kathryn smiled at her new assistant.

  “More deliveries?” Kathryn asked.

  “Your review of green cosmetics really struck gold,” Lakisha said. “Every company north of Mexico’s been sending samples.” She grinned. “Feel free to pass on anything you don’t want.”

  “Opportunist,” Kathryn said.

  “Scene on Seattle also wants to set up another interview,” Lakisha said. “They loved your series on the lighthouses of the Pacific Northwest. Oh, and Mom says hi. She promises to come up in the next week or so to harass you.”